Iran denounces US ruling to sell property

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran has condemned a ruling issued by a U.S. federal judge approving plans to sell a 36-story Manhattan office building and other properties owned by Iran nationwide in what will be the largest terrorism-related forfeiture ever.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham is quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying late Friday as calling the verdict "illegal" and a politically-motivated decision that violates U.S. obligations on freedom of religions.

The judge ruled last September that the Manhattan office tower, belonging to the Iran-linked Alavi Foundation, was subject to forfeiture because revenue from it was secretly funneled to a state-owned Iranian bank in violation of a U.S. trade embargo.